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Senate committee moves bill to expand out‑of‑network behavioral health access for wildfire survivors
Summary
AB 1032 would require plans to provide up to 12 out‑of‑network behavioral‑health visits for enrollees in counties subject to a wildfire declaration; supporters said the need is acute after the January LA wildfires while insurers cautioned the bill could create inequities and duplicate existing disaster rules.
AB 1032, which would require commercial health plans and CalPERS policies (but not Medi‑Cal) to cover up to 12 behavioral‑health visits with licensed providers for enrollees in counties with a wildfire declaration, advanced from the Senate Health Committee amid testimony describing increased demand for mental health services after the January LA wildfires.
Dr. Adrienne Martinez Hollingsworth of AltaMed, who served as clinical incident commander at a local evacuation center during the Eaton wildfires, told the committee AltaMed logged more than 18,500 behavioral‑health appointments and that nearly 80% of respondents to a rapid needs assessment reported mental‑health concerns after the fires. She said the measure would “help prevent unnecessary ER visits and psychiatric holds” and expand options for wildfire‑impacted health care workers who may prefer out‑of‑network care for confidentiality.
Emmanuel Gomez, a Pasadena resident and AltaMed patient, gave personal testimony about prolonged displacement, disrupted housing, and the trauma that persists months after evacuation. He said continuity and timely access to behavioral health care have been central to his recovery.
Insurer groups — the California Association of Health Plans and Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies — opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it tied benefits to a specific disaster declaration, excluded Medi‑Cal and individual market enrollees, risked duplicating existing disaster‑response authority (AB 2941 and related rules were cited), and could undermine utilization‑management safeguards that check medical necessity and guard against fraud.
Supporters said the measure is a targeted, temporary extension to remove barriers to timely, trauma‑informed care for wildfire survivors. Committee discussion included proposals to narrow the benefit to those experiencing loss, displacement or trauma and to strengthen communication and continuity of care prior to any transition out of the benefit.
Votes at a glance: AB 1032 advanced as amended and was referred to appropriations for further consideration.
